Travel

Travel

The world's best private islands

Offering the ultimate in exclusivity, these idyllic private islands can be yours entirely

Necker Island, British Virgin IslandsNow globally recognised due to the popular BBC2 documentary Billionaire's Paradise: Inside Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island resort remains exclusive and welcomes just 30 people at a time, with complete private hire costing about £37,000 a night; previous guests have included Kate Moss, Nelson Mandela and Bill Gates have chosen to holiday on the island already

Laucala Island, FijiA home to Austrian Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz, Laucala Island accepts guests when he is not in residence. Cuisine is exceptional and the facilities extensive - among the many toys on offer to guests is a £1 million submarine built just for two. Recent guest Elle Macpherson is so keen on the island that she rented it in its entirety as her wedding venue. A villa in the island costs from £2,500 per night

Owned by Czech billionaire Jiri Smejc, Velaa Private Island could well be the most luxurious resort in the Maldives. Surprisingly well-equipped - it features a shaded tennis court, golf course and seabobs in addition to an exceptional My Blend by Clarins spa and restaurants - Velaa can accommodate 80 or so guests and costs from $1.18 m (about £700,000) per night for up to six nights' exclusive rental

Off Koh Rong Peninsula near Sihanoukville in southern Cambodia, Song Saa private island resort stands in the middle of a 100-hectare marine reserve. It offers exceptional watersports facilities, an impressive spa and menus that change daily

Coco Privé Kuda Hithi, MaldivesThis small, private Maldivian-owned island, opened in 2012, is the slickest home in the country, with interiors by Guz Wilkinson in the two-storey Palm Residence and the five one-bedroom guest villas, two of which have private infinity pools

The chef cooks to order and there are yachts, kayaks, speedboats and watersports equipment, spa therapists 24 hours a day, and transfers in a smart white yacht. From $32,500 (about £19,620) a night for 12 guests

Islan Tagomago, SpainIsla Tagomago offers some respite for residents who have been enjoying the nightlife in nearby Ibiza. Available to rent since 2008 and costing from €100,000/ £84,000 a week, it has been a temporary home to numerous celebrities and is regarded as the best private island for hire in the Balearics

The only accommodation option on the island is this villa, which features five double suites, a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and LED lighting system which aims to provide an Ibiza-like atmosphere for any house parties residents might be throwing

Picture: Isla Tagomago

The French Polynesia, South Pacific island has a 26ft Boston Whaler, kayaks and activities such as ray-feeding and submarine tours. Tahitian lobster feasts, featuring local dancers, are a highlight. Rental of the island costs from $38,000 (about £23,000) a night for up to 12 guests

Dolphin Island, FijiThe 14-acre holiday home of Alex van Heeren, owner of The Huka Retreats and Grande Provence Estate in Franschhoek, was refurbished in 2011 to provide a “luxury castaway experience”. Interiors are relaxed yet smart, food is based around tropical fruit and seafood, and spa treatments utilise local plants and oils

Picture: Dolphin Island

Watersports range from wakeboarding to fishing. For romance, spend one night in the hilltop “sleep-out bure”, a thatched open-air bedroom. A night's rental costs from NZ$9,160 (about £4,600) for eight guests

It has 11 eco-friendly yet super-chic open-plan villas. It has a spa, gym and pool built into giant granite rocks. Wildlife and conservation are key here, hence activities such as diving with conservationists, walking with Aldabra giant tortoises and lessons in astronomy. From €59,798 (about £48,900) per night for up to 22 guests

Picture: Andrew Howard and Russel Friedman

Dolphin-shaped Li Galli island off the Amalfi Coast in Italy is a particularly glamorous address. Once the property of dancer Rudolf Nureyev, it has welcomed Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren, Jacqueline Kennedy and many more illustrious guests. The property at Li Galli comprises six rooms, a sea-water pool, large chapel and a staff of nine to look after guests' every need. Rates on request only

Picture: Li Galli

Wadigi Island, FijiWadigi Island in the Mamanuca Islands in FIji accepts a maximum of just six guests but it still comes with two chefs, a maid and a boat captain

Picture: Wadigi Island

Guests can while away the day in the island pool or at one of its two private beaches; if the general setting seems familiar it may be because the Tom Hanks film Castaway was filmed at nearby Monuriki island. A one-night rental of the island costs from $2,350-$7,000 (about £1,425-£4,240)

Picture: Wadigi Island

Ile des Deux Cocos, MauritiusA private island for people who don't want to be too isolated, Ile des Deux Cocos is placed 200 metres from sister property Lux Le Morne - which offers day trips to the island at set times and can offer overnight stays to those who want it to themselves. Guests reside in the island's villa, which has two bedrooms and a number of staff. A stay on the island costs from €1,650 per night

Picture: Ile des Deux Cocos

The grounds of Ile des Deux Cocos

Picture: Ile des Deux Cocos

Ariara Island, the PhilippinesA 90-minute flight from Manila, 120-hectare Ariara Island contains just eight villas so there's plenty of space for everyone. Each villa has uninterrupted sea views and windsurfing, water skiing, snorkelling and scuba diving are all popular activities for guests staying here. Rental of the entire island costs from $30,030 (£20,000) for six guests

Picture: Ariara Island

Musha Cay, the BahamasThe 150-acre getaway of the magician David Copperfield has five houses, and is surrounded by 10 of his other islands (one of them with a landing strip for those with bigger jets). Facilities include a beach cinema, a floodlit tennis court, a billiards table that once belonged to Houdini, and an on-site entertainer

The best of the 40 beaches is a long sand spit on which lunch can be served for two. From $37,500 (about £22,600) per night for the entire island, for up to 12 guests